Lebanon Militias End Bloody Battle

BEIRUT, LEBANON — Rival militias ended a 12-hour battle early Tuesday that showered Beirut with artillery shells and rockets, killing at least 28 people and forcing hundreds into basements, cinemas and underground garages.

The violence was the bloodiest and most intense since fighting erupted April 28 across the no-man`s land of bombed-out buildings known as the Green Line, which separates Christian east Beirut from the mostly Moslem western sector.

``The night of May 6 will go into the annals of Lebanon`s civil war as one of the most violent,`` the Christian Voice of Lebanon radio said.

Police sources said at least 28 people were killed and more than 100 wounded in the overnight fighting. The toll brought the number of people killed since April 28 to at least 58, with 340 others wounded.

The Christian Voice of Lebanon radio said some 2,500 rounds from mortars, artillery and rocket-launchers smashed into east Beirut overnight. Moslem radio stations said at least 600 shells hit the Moslem southern suburbs.

``The firing was equally intense from both sides `` said a travel agent in east Beirut.